Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died after a helicopter crashed in Marondera Rural, southeast of Harare, on Wednesday evening. Authorities confirmed that there were no survivors, while the couple’s family later confirmed their deaths as investigations into the crash began.
Highlights
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke died in the crash.
- The helicopter went down in Marondera Rural at around 5pm on Wednesday.
- Authorities confirmed there were no survivors.
- The aircraft was carrying six people, according to police.
- Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
Main Story
Chivayo and Wife Killed
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, are among those who died after a helicopter crashed in Marondera Rural on Wednesday, September 30.
The crash happened at around 5pm in an area roughly 74 kilometres southeast of Harare.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police initially confirmed that an aircraft carrying six people had crashed in the area, saying emergency teams were responding to the scene.
The government later confirmed that there were no survivors.
Family Confirms Couple’s Death
The death of Chivayo and Muteke was subsequently confirmed by family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo, who said relatives were struggling to process the tragedy.
The couple had become widely known in Zimbabwe and beyond, with Chivayo maintaining a high-profile public presence through his business activities, philanthropy, luxury lifestyle and social media posts.
Their deaths come after their highly publicised marriage and have triggered an outpouring of reactions across Zimbabwe.
What Authorities Have Said
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed that the helicopter crash had claimed the lives of everyone on board.
Early official accounts contained some discrepancies over the number and description of those aboard. Police initially reported six occupants, while a later government account described a high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots. Reuters subsequently reported that Mangwana corrected the passenger breakdown while maintaining that there were no survivors.
Authorities have yet to release the full identities of all the victims.
The cause of the crash remains unknown as investigators work to establish what happened.
Chivayo’s High-Profile Life
Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable businessmen, frequently attracting attention for his luxury vehicles, private aviation, philanthropy and high-profile relationships.
His business interests included energy and infrastructure, while his dealings around the Gwanda Solar Project attracted scrutiny in Zimbabwe over the years.
His public profile also extended beyond Zimbabwe. Chivayo had been associated with prominent political and business figures across the region, including Kenyan President William Ruto.
He regularly shared aspects of his lifestyle and travels on social media, making him a familiar figure to audiences in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa.
Investigations Underway
Emergency personnel were dispatched to the crash site shortly after the incident, with authorities beginning the process of securing the area and identifying the victims.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, the circumstances surrounding the flight and other factors that could have contributed to the crash.
Authorities are also expected to formally announce the identities of the remaining victims once the identification and family notification processes are completed.
For now, the focus remains on establishing what caused the fatal crash and providing answers to the families of those who lost their lives.
For a family mourning two lives at once and a nation seeking answers, the questions surrounding the Marondera crash are only beginning.
